The U.S. Congress is edging toward ending the ongoing government shutdown, with the Senate advancing a key funding bill that could reopen the government after more than a month. Meanwhile, the impact of the shutdown is sharply felt: flights cancelled or delayed, and millions of Americans uncertain about food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Late Sunday, the Senate voted 60 to 40 to advance a stopgap measure that would fund federal agencies through January 30, 2026, and include three full-year appropriation packages. Eight moderate Democrats broke from party leadership to join Republicans, signaling growing pressure to end the impasse.
The measure also protects federal workers from further layoffs until January 30 and provides back pay for those already furloughed. The bill must still pass the House and receive the President’s signature before the shutdown formally ends.
As the spending lapse enters its 40-plus day, the costs are mounting. Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed due to air-traffic-controller staffing problems and growing logistical disruptions.
At the same time, the shutdown stalled funding for SNAP benefits, leaving 42 million Americans vulnerable to missing food-aid payments. These immediate hardships, including missed paychecks, stalled benefits, and disrupted travel, have added pressure on lawmakers as public patience thins.
The deal moves forward without immediate extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, an issue that had become a sticking point for Democrats. They secured a promise of a December vote on the matter.
Funding for SNAP through September 2026 is included, meaning the food-aid program will be secured beyond the stopgap funding period.
Still, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that any delay in final passage could extend disruptions further, a situation business leaders and federal workers say is unsustainable.
For federal employees, the beginnings of relief are real: no further layoffs are allowed until late January, and back pay is on the table. That ends the administration’s earlier threat to reduce agency staffing.
For air travelers, one of the most visible symptoms of the shutdown, this Senate vote offers hope. But cancellations and delays continue as staffing gaps and operational chaos persist across major hubs.
And for families relying on food assistance, the inclusion of SNAP funding is a vital lifeline. Even so, months of uncertainty have strained food banks and state systems that stepped in during federal delays.
Advancing the legislation is a major step, but not the finish line. The House must approve the same version, and the President must sign it. Any hiccup, amendment, delay, or procedural trick could prolong the shutdown.
Moreover, the larger political fight over health-care subsidies, debt limits, and budget priorities is far from resolved. As some moderate Democrats pivoted to support the deal, internal party tensions are rising, and conservative lawmakers are warning of future budget battles.
The Senate’s movement toward ending the government shutdown offers a tangible signal of progress for millions of Americans on edge. Yet a final vote still looms, and the ripple effects on air travel, food aid, and federal workers’ lives continue to accumulate. Restoring full government operations will not erase the disruption already experienced, but it will mark a crucial turning point in this long political standoff.
